Rugby: Magpies end season with victory and trophy

Sam McNicol spies a gap with Richard Buckman in support as Kane Hammington defends. Photo Warren Buckland.

The Hawke's Bay Magpies retained the Kel Tremain Memorial trophy with an entertaining 36-31 victory againsgt the Manawatu Turbos in their final Mitre 10 Cup rugby outing of the season at Napier's McLean Park today.

The Magpies made a polished start with good recycling and accurate territorial play. They were lucky first five-eighth Ihaia West wasn't sinbinned for a high tackle in the 11th minute.

A minute later fullback Sam McNicol was unlucky not to have a try when he lost the ball forward over the line. However the Turbos scored first when former Magpies utility back and Manawatu centre Lewis Marshall intercepted a West pass and scampered 40 metres to touch down.

First five-eighth Jade Te Rure kicked the conversion. It was a surprise when the Magpies turned down a kickable penalty in the 18th minute.

The Turbos, who only needed four competition points to secure a semifinal berth, had no hesitation when they were awarded a penalty in the 21st minute which Te Rure slotted to give the visitors a 10-0 lead.

Missed tackled were again proving costly for the hosts with eight misses within the first 24 minutes. After an all-in brawl in the 34th minute Magpies flanker Tony Lamborn was red carded for punching and Manawatu winger Newton Tudreu for kneeing an opponent during the brawl.

A minute later Hawke's Bay age group product and Turbos hooker Tim Cadwallader, a former Baby Black, put the visitors ahead with a try which Te Rure converted. The Magpies tried a quick off which almost led to a try from centre Jonah Lowe but he was forced out by Turbos substitute back Jason Emery close to the line and the visitors led 17-0 at halftime.
The Magpies started the second half well and were rewarded with a try to No 8 Gareth Evans in the 41st minute after some accurate recycling. West converted.

In the 45th minute the Magpies opted for a scrum instead of an easy three points and Evans set up halfback Brad Weber for a cracker of a try which West converted. The Magpies hit the front for the first time when winger Mason Emerson scored in the 48th minute to give the hosts a 19-17 lead. Tries to midfielders Richard Buckman and Jonah Lowe in the 52nd and 56th minutes respectively and a conversion from West had the Magpies ahead 31-17.

Emerson had his second try in the 65th minute and the Turbos were never going to recover from a 13-point deficit. Emery scored a consolation converted try in the 70th minute.

A converted try from Te Rure contributed to a nailbiting final minute. Manawatu remain winless in first class fixtures at McLean Park since 1955.

Scorers:
Hawke's Bay 36 (Gareth Evans, Brad Weber, Mason Emerson 2, Richard Buckman, Jonah Lowe tries; Ihaia West 3 cons), Manawatu 31 (Lewis Marshall, Tim Cadwallader, Jason Emery, Jade Te Rure tries; Jade Te Rure pen, 3 cons; Emery con). HT: Turbos 17-0.